San Diego Attractions

Honeymooners seeking a combination of outdoor activities, varied culture, good food, and beautiful, temperate weather are well-advised to look no further than the delightful, Southern California city of San Diego. This metropolis, the second largest in California and among the top ten cities in the United States, is modern, sunny, and offers a plethora of things to do. Visitors can enjoy the animals at the world-famous San Diego zoo; examine the museums at Balboa Park; or explore the region’s Mexican heritage while enjoying traditional Mexican food, crafts, and music in the city's Old Town. For even more authentic Mexican culture, make the short trip south of the border to nearby Tijuana.

San Diego Zoo

Arguably, the best zoo in the world, the San Diego Zoo is home to over 4000 animal. The park sits on 100 acres in Balboa Park, the city's cultural district that towers over the downtown and the waterfront area. Visiting the zoo is the highlight of any trip to San Diego and features a large aviary, large expanses of natural habitats, and the stars of the zoo — the giant pandas, particularly Su Lin born at the park in August of 2005. The San Diego zoo, established in 1915, is known for its African rain forest, large free-flying aviary, a frozen tundra polar bear exhibit, and Koala bears in their own Eucalyptus forest. Visitors can take a wild African safari or even a hot air balloon ride over the animal exhibits. In December, the park transforms itself into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, visits with Santa, carolers, and up-close encounters with exotic animals.

Balboa Park

In addition to being home to the San Diego zoo, Balboa Park Balboa Park is a complex of gardens, museums, theaters, shops, and restaurants. Perched on a mesa high above the city, Balboa Park, founded in 1868, includes the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and its IMAX theater, and the Museum of Fine Art. Most of these buildings line El Prado, a wide promenade running the length of the park and are excellent examples of Spanish Revival architecture. Other highlights of the area are an authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which houses the world’s largest pipe organ.

Coronado

Located just across the harbor from downtown San Diego, the city of Coronado is an exclusive enclave with beautiful white sand beaches, quiet streets, and luxury resorts. The narrow peninsula is home to the unique, red tile roofed Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888 and featured in the film, “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe, as well as to the U S Naval Air Station. Visitors cross over to Coronado from downtown San Diego via the towering San Diego-Coronado Bridge or via ferry. Coronado has a village-like feel with quiet, tree-lined streets, stately old mansions, and 28 miles of beach.

Tijuana

Located just 15 minutes south of downtown San Diego, Tijuana is Mexico’s fourth largest city and the gateway to the Baja Peninsula. Avenida Revolucion is the traditional tourist destination in Tijuana. It’s lined with Mexican restaurants, pasajes (shopping arcades), and bawdy bars. At the end of the street is the Palacio Fronton, a faux Moorish palace, fronted by an ornate fountain and home to fast-paced Jai a Lai matches. Locals and tourists alike gamble on this noisy, mind-boggling game. Tourists can reach Tijuana by car or on the San Diego trolley, which departs regularly from downtown. Make sure to take your passport for entry into Mexico.

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a charming neighborhood within downtown San Diego and an essential part of any San Diego honeymoon. Named for the gas lamps that line the streets here, the quarter dates back to the 1890s. The sixteen-block area includes over one hundred restored original buildings that today house charming small hotels, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and vibrant nightspots and jazz clubs. San Diego’s new ball park, PETCO Park is located just one block away, as is the sparkling San Diego waterfront.

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